Family

A Summer Arts Primer

Ballet Pacifica Conservatory Summer Intensive Program (1824 Kaiser Ave., Irvine) is led by Tina LeBlanc, principal dancer with the San Francisco Ballet, and other professionals. The four-week session for dancers at the intermediate through advanced level (students placed by audition) culminates with a performance at UC Irvine, July 28-Aug. 23, $450-$750, (714) 851-9930.

Bowers Kidseum Summer Art Camp '97 (1802 N. Main St., Santa Ana) offers two-week sessions for children 6-12 to learn about diverse cultures through mask- and jewelry-making, textile design and other activities; includes tours of the Bowers and Kidseum galleries and a field trip to the Santa Ana Zoo. Half-day; some extended days available, July 15-Aug. 21, $120-$140, (714) 480-1524.

Huntington Beach Art Center (538 Main St., Huntington Beach) offers a day camp, Art on the Beach, for children 7-12. One-week sessions include experiences in visual and performing arts, multicultural handcrafts, field trips to Orange County galleries and the beach. Half-day to extended-day offered. June 23-Aug. 8, $85-$150, (714) 374-1650.

Laguna Art Museum (307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach). Content and prices are still being finalized, but a museum spokesman says LAM will offer twice weekly art classes in two-week packages in July and August. The 90-minute sessions will be open to children aged 7 to 11, (714) 494-8971.

South Coast Repertory Young Conservatory (655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa) offers a Summer Theater Workshop, an overview of theater arts for youths age 8 to 11 and ages 12 to 17, Aug. 4-16 and Aug. 18-30. $195. Also available: SCR's Summer Performance Workshop (Aug. 18-30) for youths who have completed one year of Young Conservatory training, $195. New this year is Summer Players, a monthlong program (Aug 4.-30) in which continuing YC students rehearse and perform an original show in a local tour; enrollment by audition, $395. For all SCR programs call (714) 957-2602, Ext. 210.

South Orange County School of the Arts at Dana Hills High School (33333 Golden Lantern, Dana Point). Teens interested in learning and refining backstage skills can sign on as crew for the school's Summer Musical Theater Workshop staging of "Little Shop of Horrors." School credits given, June 24-Aug. 1, free. (714) 240-1994.

Los Angeles Area

Autry Museum of Western Heritage (4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles) offers several summer children's programs including: "The Art of Nature," a class for ages 7-9 exploring different artists' depictions of the West plus hands-on activities in painting, sculpture, collage and more. 9 a.m.-noon, Aug. 4-8. $55-$65, supplies included. "Pioneers and Early Communities," a class for ages 10-12, examining the early European settlers, plus hands-on activities in making candles, toys and games, 1-3 p.m. Aug. 11-15. $55-$65, (213) 667-2000.